Current IP-based real-time communication services have put into trouble traditional network monitoring paradigms and have imposed some additional requirements to network monitoring applications. The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate that the increased complexity of network monitoring can be managed with relatively little effort if the appropriate software instruments
are used. In particular, by using a proper software framework it is possible to produce complex and efficient monitoring applications that are not affected by common problems such as having a monolithic architecture or being difficult to extend.

This chapter introduces the issues addressed in this thesis and explains why the VoIP service has been chosen as the reference monitoring field. Additionally the requirements and the scope of this thesis are identified.